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Which DAC makers let you do in home trial?

I'm interested in comparing some DACS for purchase, maximum price about $1600, let's say.
Auditioning them is a hope.
I know that people can get speakers and sometimes amps on trials from manufacturers and from some brick and mortar shops.
So, my question to you all is:
Have you been able to audition DAC's in your home? Which companies with good at home trials and return policies (besides Ps Audio, which is great about that but their DAC is super expensive).
The alternative is just to take a shot in the dark, which I'd prefer not to do. I like to take time and assess before spending this kind of money.
128x128hilde45
cal3713's avatar
cal3713
1,421 posts
 
Agreed, +2. Speakers first.  Once you choose the speakers, post another thread here asking for amplifier recommendations for that particular speaker model.  Hopefully some others will already have done a lot of testing and you can then narrow down your choices to a couple of already successful pairings. 

And once you start auditioning, keep your eyes out for posters that are hearing the same things that you are when you listen to the same gear.  It's nice when you can find some reliable voices that have the same ears/preferences as you.  As you are aware, everyone thinks they know the truth, but obviously preferences differ, and I think ears/brains differ in how they process sound more than we realize.  Different people are sensitive to different aspects of sound and distortion and end up with different systems because of it.
zigggi
10 posts
 
PS Audio offers their Stellar Gain Cell Dac for 1,699$ - very close to your budget. It also functions as a pre-amp and headphones amp.
rodge827's avatar
rodge827
619 posts
 
Digital Amplifier Company (DAC) offers a 30 day trial/return policy for products. The DAC DAC 2 is fantastic sounding, very close to nos sound with exceptional imaging and clean extended   bass. Give them a shot well worth the try.
https://www.cherryamp.com/dac-dac-d-to-a-convertor
hilde45's avatar
hilde45 OP
4,974 posts
 
@cal3713 I definitely will post once the speakers are chosen. It will help to get more specific advice from those who’ve owned similar combinations with or without my particular my "ears".

@zigggi I’m tempted by the PS Audio SGDC, although I’m sort of inclining toward tubes at the moment, Still, their trial is easy and generous about shipping.

@rodge827 27 Nice looking company and website. Tube and non tube options for less that $1k. In home trial. Not sure how they compare to other DACS but once amps and speakers are in place this might be THE one to try out.

Thanks to all!
djones51
4,947 posts
 
The Digital Amplifier  Company DAC doesn't have a tube option. It's called Tube Like, the DAC TL. It distorts similar to tubes. 

How can this thing sound so wonderful, but measure so-so?". Well, after taking a better look, we discovered that the distortion characteristics of our shortest-path circuit were similar to that of tube (a.k.a. valve)

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